Normally The Keepers reserve our Reverence articles for products we’ve used for years, or with new stuff that has had at least six months of duty. Riding the cobbles of Belgium and Northern France can put most gear (and bodies) through six months of abuse in just a few weeks, so in this case the work these tyres have been put through there and in the months since qualifies them for a deserved earlier dose of Reverence.
Selecting what gear to run for the Cobbled Classics Keepers Tour wasn’t too hard a task; there are some things which just go with cobbles bikes like double wrapped bartape, alloy steerer fork and of course box section rims laced 3 cross. Tubular or clincher was about the only tough decision I had to make. I managed to find a cheap pair of Ambrosio tub rims, but as they were 36 hole it proved impossible to find a cassette hub in time for the tour. How bad could clinchers be? After all, Freddy Guesdon won Roubaix on clinchers in 97, and the Pavé boys would have spare wheels if something went terribly awry. It wasn’t the cobbles that would claim my clinchers, but the ham-fisted rock apes generously referred to by airlines as baggage handlers.
Choosing a tyre to run was probably the easiest task. It had to be Vittoria’s Open Pavé CG‘s, based on what I’d seen gracing Pro’s bikes in just about every edition of the Spring Classics I’d witnessed. The distinctive green herringbone tread stripe is as synonymous with these races as are crazed fans, beer and frites en mayo. Unfortunately the ‘Open Tubular’ doesn’t come in the 28mm width of it’s tubular brethren, but a 24mm version only. That extra mm wasn’t a lot but it was something. The real benefit of the tyres though is the 320TPI casing, yeilding a super smooth ride on any surface. Coupled with Vittoria’s Latex inner tubes, the feel of cushioning under the bike is definitely noticeable. Over all of the 21 secteurs we rode on the way to Roubaix, then another 15 of the worst a few days later, topped with a full complement of Flandrian roads, I only once feared I might hear the dreaded hiss from my tyres. Nailing an edge of a nasty cobble hard enough to feel the rock hitting the rim, the tyre bounced off and the slippery latex tube stayed intact. On return to NZ, I inspected the tyres for damage and was surprised and delighted to find nary a nick or any signs of wear.
I’ve been riding the Pavés ever since the Tour, and don’t want to swap them out at least until the Kiwi winter is over. The ride continues to impress with their sheer suppleness (dare I say souplesse?) over rough surfaces. They aren’t the lightest or fastest rolling, but neither am I. For summer I think I’ll try the lighter Corsa Evo SC‘s, which look just as cool with their tan sidewalls and are another Pro favourite. And if you’re worried about a green stripe clashing with your bike’s paint job, I think there should be a Rule #8 ammendment that the only coloured tyre allowed on any bike, due to it’s unrivalled heritage, is the venerable and now ReVered Open Pavé CG.
Thanks to Graeme at Cycle Sport NZ for his generosity in supplying the tyres and tubes.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/Open Pav/”/]
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View Comments
@Steampunk
I didn't ride the vittorias, but the sheer volume of tires on the road and the near-complete lack of punctures was impressive. William even cracked a rim on a cobble, but the tire never went flat (there was a mix of tubular and open pavés in the mix.)
I did ride the Paris-Roubaix and absolutely loved them to pieces - zero issues and they are still going strong.
@RedRanger
I'm a huge GP4000S rider; every one of the six road bikes in the stable are running that tire. I have to say, though, that I am so impressed that I'm likely going to switch to the open Pave for the rain bike when winter rolls back around. Impressive, impressive, impressive.
@bretto
I agree colored tires are questionable, but I'd hate to make a Rule Violator out of perhaps the best-looking rider/bike ever: the 1998 Pantani.
I've been lamenting the all-black tire lately, and admire Rabobank for sticking to all-tan sidewalls. It's a classy look. Perhaps like the tubbie/clincher discussion, it is the mark of the true Velominatus to ride tan sidewalls.
I've run Vittoria diamanté pros since my VMHs Cervelo came with them as OMES. I do like their durability and ride. A little speedy, but ebay has been turning them up for about $80 pair delivered.
@James
I've been running Masters (and before that Paves) for years - Wellington roads are harsh (lots of coarse chip seal) and the Veloflex tyres have held up very well over time. I love the ride feel of them too. So much so that I just ordered a new pair after putting a mean cut in my rear one after hitting a stone on Monday.
Our family's been riding cheap Bontragers for training and Michelins on the Racing/Sunday's Best wheelset for ages now, but change is a-coming. In front of my bed is my #1, with the bright-blue Michelin Race3 on the front. It's the last of it's kind - next to the bike hang two dismounted Michelin Lithion2 who carried my mother through 4, yes 4, Ironman competitions and thousands of training miles.
The replacment? Schwalbe's Ultremo ZX are gracing four of our wheelsets now. Myself, however, will get a Veloflex Open Record, but Vittoria's Open Corsa SC also sounds tempting.
@tessar
Loved the swalbe ultremos as well - great, light tire. Super fast. Looked great with the printing on the tire. They were not quite as Rule #9 complaint as I'd have liked; going through a hairpin during an unexpected rainshower had me sliding sideways which was a bit unnerving. Back to the GP4000S for me after those wore out.
@Oli
Good to know about the durability of Veloflex.
@Frank
I have to admit, part of the reason I chose the Veloflex was that you can get them in tan - I love how they look on my bike as much as I love how they feel!
@napolinige
I also have read that Veloflex formed when Vittoria left Italy in search of cheaper labor outside the EU. I don't know how the Veloflex factory compares with Vittoria, but something about that story makes me feel good supporting Veloflex when I buy their tyres.
@Oli
Look, they just turned up!
@Oli
Love the box they come in, too!
@Oli
Mmm - double espresso